Unheard Word homepage

The Unheard Word

One woman's slightly skewed views

Google Talk

Google is to introduce their own text and voice messaging system. From CNN:

Citing unnamed sources “familiar with the service,” the Los Angeles Times said that Google’s Instant Messaging program would be called Google Talk and could be launched as early as Wednesday.

What I find interesting about this, is that the market is already chockas full of IM clients. Why one more? Does Google merely want to be ubiquitous — or is their new system an innovative one that will provide benefits for both users and advertisers over and above existing chat systems?

Given users’ antipathy to advertising in their IM clients, I’d wonder about that aspect — although Google’s style is unobtrusive text ads and this would be far less annoying than the flashing, blinking, moving and thus very offensive ads on some of the other systems, though not as good as those that don’t contain any advertising at all. (I love my Mac!)

Yet Google has proved themselves to be a very innovative company and it wouldn’t surprise me if this apparent “catch-up with the competition” scheme will actually have the competition rushing to catch up to Google. I’ll be looking for the new chat client on Wednesday.

Oh hang on, it is Wednesday here. OK then — where is it? 🙂

2 Responses to “Google Talk”

  1. howard Says:

    No sign of it!

    Maybe there’s a message there?!

    😉

  2. Vicki Says:

    Haha yeah there was a message: there are no need for signs – just Google and ye shall receive. 😉